Dupes for Dummies

The drugstore beauty aisle can feel like a walk down memory lane, chronicling your very worst beauty mistakes. It’s home to the harsh, black eyeliner you used every day of middle school, that lipstick that got on your teeth, and the eyeshadow palette you used for that Halloween costume you now realize was wildly inappropriate and borderline cultural appropriation. You came to grab some tampons, not to be reminded of the time you used Jergens wrong and ended up orange. I get it.

But, beyond those outdated, shame-inducing products lie some of the beauty industry’s greatest innovations: Dupes. The ability to completely rip off a very expensive, well-loved product for a fraction of the price is nothing short of a modern miracle. Drugstore beauty has never been closer to their luxury counterparts, and it’s time to reap the rewards, my friends.

Whether you’re shopping for some beauty on a budget or simply trying to kill time until your prescriptions are ready, I’ve got you covered. Read on for the crème de la crème of copycats and blatant plagiarism! A special thank you to loose corporate morals and sneaky legal roundabouts for serving the masses.

If You Like The BeautyBlender ($20), Try The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge ($5.99)

There are endless BeautyBlender dupes, but the only one worth trying is from Real Techniques. I’d even go so far as to say the Real Techniques’ sponge might be even better than the OG. Let me explain. The only real difference I’ve found between the two is the flat edge on the Real Techniques sponge, which contours around the eyes and nose and makes it easier to blend in hard-to-reach areas. Especially since I suggest getting a new sponge every month or so (because, germs,) The Real Techniques’ sponge is definitely the winner here.

If You Like The Tatcha Luminous Silk Canvas Primer* ($52), Try The ELF Poreless Putty Primer ($8)

The Tatcha primer is very thick, making it a bit difficult to scoop out, though it definitely thins out when warmed up between the hands. In general, I like the consistency of the ELF primer more—it’s sturdy without feeling hard. TK

If You Like The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30), Try The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ($6.49)

As a longtime fan of NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, I was skeptical about finding any suitable dupe. Enter Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer. With similar packaging and consistency, the two are a close match. I actually experience less creasing with the Maybelline Concealer, which is a huge win for the drugstore. That being said, it just isn’t as creamy or radiant as the NARS one, which, in all fairness, makes sense given the product is quite literally called the Radiant Creamy Concealer.

If You Like The Marc Jacobs O!Mega Bronzer* ($49), Try The NYX Matte Bronzer ($7.50)

The O!Mega Bronzer is a fan-favorite thanks to its ultra-matte, micro-fine powder. It blends seamlessly without looking patchy or feeling dry on the skin. Great product, right? Right, except for the fact that it’s ridiculously expensive and inconveniently huge. For perspective, it’s about the size of four of the NYX Matte Bronzers, stacked two by two. The unfortunate size makes the MJ bronzer difficult to store in my vanity and a waste of space in a makeup bag. It’s a pain to rearrange all my products so that I can get to it, so it’s definitely underused. The NYX bronzer has that same almost cream-like texture that I love about the MJ one, and it’s around 80-percent cheaper. Given that the only real difference between the two is size, the NYX Matte Bronzer might just be the way to go.

If You Like The NARS Blush* ($30), Try The Milani Baked Blush ($9.49)

Both of these wildly popular blushes pack a punch on the cheeks, thanks to a healthy dose of sparkle and a wide range of colors. While the color payoff of Milani’s blushes is slightly better, they’re also a bit chalkier (and patchier) than their NARS counterpart. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker—the chalky texture can be fixed by incorporating other hydrating products into your routine, and the patchiness just means you need to spend more time blending.

If You Like The Glossier Cloud Paint ($18), Try The Maybelline Cheek Heat ($7.99)

Oh baby, I love Glossier’s Cloud Paints. There’s something about the way they just melt into the skin that makes for the perfect flush of color. I really did not think that Maybelline’s very obvious knock off would stand a chance against the cult-favorite, but after seeing one too many rave reviews, I found myself picking up two shades at my local CVS. And they’re really good! The two products are virtually identical, except in color range, which I kind of love because it means I now have a wider range of blushes to choose from.

If You Like The Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Shadow* ($24), Try The ELF Liquid Glitter Shadow ($5)

Even though the word “glitter” is in the name of both products, I feel like I still need to give a disclaimer that these are, indeed, very glittery—and I mean glittery, not shimmery (yes, there is a difference). Packaging-wise, the two are virtually identical. Both shadows really work as a full eye look on their own and. in both cases, a little goes a long way, so I’m a huge fan of their mini sizes. They’re perfect to throw in a purse for touch ups and great options for bringing the glam while traveling.

If You Like The Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($26), Try The L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($10.99)

I’ve discussed this dupe before, along with pretty much the entire beauty community, so I’ll keep it brief. Both are very solid mascara choices. I think Better Than Sex packs a bit more of a punch, but given that a lot of people find it to be too clumpy and harsh, this actually works out pretty well for L’Oreal. While luxury mascaras are fun and fancy, don’t ever sleep on their drugstore counterparts.

If You Like The KKW Gloss* ($20), Try The Maybelline Lifter Gloss ($8.99)

These glosses are über-hydrating thanks to a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid in both formulas. The Maybelline gloss is slightly larger (0.18 oz vs. 0.12 oz) and features a bigger doe-footed wand for easy application. Both are slightly sticky (though definitely manageable) and have solid, albeit somewhat different, shade ranges.